Greg Warden named president of Franklin College in Switzerland

Greg Warden, University Distinguished Professor of Art History and associate dean for research and academic affairs in SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, has been named the 4th president of Franklin College in Lugano, Switzerland, effective July 1, 2012. Warden will leave the University at the end of the 2011-12 school year following an eminent 30-year career at SMU.

“We are very sorry to see Greg leave SMU, but at the same time we are thrilled for him – it’s an incredible honor to be chosen for such an important and prestigious position, and we know he will make an exceptional leader for Franklin College,” said Meadows Dean José Bowen. “SMU has an ongoing relationship with Franklin – a number of our students study abroad there each year. We look forward to maintaining a close collaboration with Greg and with Franklin College in the coming years.”

“While I am looking forward to this leadership opportunity at Franklin College, I will miss SMU and the community that has been so supportive of Diane and me over the past 30 years,” Warden said. “SMU is an exceptional institution, the Meadows School under José Bowen’s leadership is an exciting and inspiring place, and Dallas is one of the most welcoming and supportive cities in the world. I look forward to maintaining close ties with our many friends and colleagues in Texas.”

Following an 11-month international search, Dr. Warden was unanimously chosen by Franklin’s board of trustees from a pool of more than 100 experienced and diverse candidates, including former and sitting college presidents and deans, university provosts and leading intellectuals in a variety of academic disciplines and professional fields.

“Dr. Warden’s accomplishments and profile made him a compelling candidate from the start,” said Pascal F. Tone, chairman of the board at Franklin. “Few individuals possess the unique blend of successful experiences in scholarship, higher education leadership, dedication to students, capacity to attract resources and managerial acumen that he now brings to Franklin.”

Warden has taught at SMU since 1982 and has earned numerous accolades during his tenure with the university. He was named Meadows Foundation Distinguished Teaching Professor in 1995 and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at SMU in 2011. In addition to serving as associate dean for research and academic affairs for the Meadows School since 1988, he was chair of the Art History Department for six years, interim director of the Meadows Museum, and interim chair of the Division of Arts Administration for two years.

In addition, he co-founded and directed the SMU-in-Italy program for more than 20 years. In 2011, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded a $200,000 grant in support of a summer institute for college teachers, led by Dr. Warden, which will examine Etruscan and Roman culture on-site in Italy.